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QUEEN'S PARK, ON, Dec. 1 /CNW/ - Ontario and France have signed an
agreement to recognize each others' drivers' licences, Ontario Transportation
Minister Harinder Takhar announced today at the "Innovative Transit and
Transportation Technologies" conference in Toronto.
Starting February 1, 2004, Ontarians who move to France can officially
exchange their Ontario class G driver's licence for the French equivalent
without taking the required knowledge and road tests. The same applies for
French residents who move to Ontario.
"Our government is pursuing Ontario's extraordinary opportunities to
build trading relationships with other countries," said Takhar. "The
reciprocal driver licensing agreement with France is another step in building
a truly global Ontario. Helping new residents get settled and start sharing
their skills will ultimately strengthen innovation in both countries."
The "Innovative Transit and Transportation Technologies" conference is a
premiere opportunity for public and private sector professionals from urban
transit, highway planning and design, and high-technology companies from both
sides of the Atlantic to build partnerships and share information. The agenda
includes major transit and highway infrastructure projects, intelligent
transportation systems and public-private partnerships.
"I'm proud of this example of international cooperation to promote the
safety and convenience of new residents and to help businesses grow," said
French Minister for Transport and Sea, Dominique Bussereau. "This conference
is a unique opportunity to discover Ontario and France's expertise in
leading-edge transportation technologies. Stronger partnerships will
ultimately improve the safety and efficiency of travel in both jurisdictions."
In a demonstration of private-sector partnerships being forged between
Ontario and France, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also signed
between the Intelligent Transportation Systems Society of Canada and
Intelligent Transportation Systems France. The MOU will facilitate the
exchange of industry-related information, promote visits to intelligent
transportation systems (ITS) deployment sites in Canada and France, provide
networking opportunities, and generally benefit the ITS industry and its
professionals.
"Although our nations are geographically distant, many similar
transportation problems exist that require similar solutions," said ITS Canada
Chairman Joseph Lam. "This MOU opens doors to working together to showcase
industry advancements in both countries. I look forward to developing stronger
working relationships with our counterparts at ITS France."
Backgrounder
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ONTARIO AND FRANCE RECOGNIZE DRIVER'S LICENCES AS EQUIVALENT
Starting February 1, 2004, residents moving between France and Ontario
can officially exchange valid driver's licences without having to take
knowledge and road tests in their new jurisdiction.
Types of licences to be exchanged
An Ontario driver, upon becoming a resident of France, can exchange a
full class G licence for the French equivalent - a class B or E (B) licence.
Novice drivers can exchange their Ontario G2 licence for a French licence
subject to probationary laws.
A French driver, upon becoming a resident of Ontario, can exchange a
class B or E (B) licence for an Ontario class G licence with proof of at least
24 months of licensed driving experience. Drivers with less than 24 months of
driving experience may exchange their French licence for an Ontario class G2
learner's licence. Novice drivers must fulfil all requirements under Ontario
law to obtain a class G licence.
How French drivers can exchange their driver's licences in Ontario
French residents who move to Ontario and wish to exchange their French
driver's licence for an Ontario licence can visit any Drive Test Centre across
the province. They will need identification, such as a passport, and proof of
licensed driving experience. Applicants must also pass a vision test and meet
medical standards. To ensure road safety, licences will be checked for
validity.
The Drive Test Centre will issue a temporary driver's licence and the
French licence must be surrendered. A permanent licence will then be mailed to
the driver.
How Ontario drivers can exchange their driver's licences in France
Ontario residents who move to France and want to exchange their driver's
licence for a French licence should visit a French office of the local
Prefecture. Applicants will need identification, such as a passport, and proof
of licensed driving experience. Applicants must also pass a vision test, meet
medical standards, and surrender their Ontario licence.
Ensuring road safety
Before establishing a driver licence reciprocity agreement, Ontario
reviews the foreign jurisdiction's licensing processes, focusing on driver
licensing standards, validity and security.
A due-diligence process is undertaken to determine whether the licensing
standards in the reciprocating jurisdiction are comparable to Ontario's in
areas such as medical standards, minimum driving age, beginner driver
training, and knowledge and road testing.
Ontario's other driver's licence exchange agreements
Ontario has formal reciprocal agreements for driver's licence exchange
with the Republic of Korea, Japan, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, all Canadian
jurisdictions and 23 U.S. states.
Disponible en français
www.mto.gov.on.ca
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For further information: Contacts: David Ward, Minister's Office, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, (416) 327-1815; Bob Nichols, MTO Communications Branch, (416) 327-1158; Emna Dhahak (French), MTO Communications Branch, (416) 327-9149; Servanne Alluy Fowlds, French Economic Commission, (416) 977-1257; Joseph Lam, Chair, ITS Canada, (416) 391-7521
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